PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD
MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1891

Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Page 503

JAMES NEVINS. Macoupin County boasts many men of substantial standing, in both a financial and political position. Of these none are more respected and honored than he whose name is at the head of this sketch and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. He has a beautiful home on section 12, North Palmyra Township. His farm is one of the most highly cultivated in the township and upon it are buildings that would be a credit to England itself, his residence being a comfortable and commodious dwelling, containing the improvements that are so indispensable in our modern way of living.

Our subject's parents were William and Elizabett (Simms) Nevins. They came to Macoupin County about 1828 and settled in North Palmyra township, where they remained ever after. The mother died about 1876; the father's death occurred in North Otter Township. Nine children were once the pleasure and care of their father, who was obliged to study diligently ways and means to fill the hungry little mouths.

Our subject was born in Overton County, Tenn., January 19, 1819. He came to Macoupin County with his parents, growing to manhood on the farm in North Palmyra Township, where he has lived since first coming to this State.

He has always been engaged in agriculture and at present is the owner of six hundred and thirty-six acres in Macoupin County and four hundred and seventy-four acres in Montgomery County. His farm is furnished with the best of buildings and every improvement is to be found thereon.

On the 25th of November, 1840, Mr. Nevins was united to Miss Elizabett Simms, a daughter of George and Anna )Nevins) Simms. The gentleman who performed the ceremony upon that auspicious occasion was John Scott, Esq. Mr. Nevins has never had cause to regret his choice, for his wife is distinguished by her amiable disposition and elegant, dignified manners. Mrs. Nevins' parents died in North Palmyra. She was the sixth in a family of nine children and her natal day was November 22, 1832. After her marriage with our subject she devoted herself to making such a home for her husband as to leave nothing to be desired. Her children were always her first consideration and her care will certainly be rewarded at some future time by their rising up and calling her blessed.

The little ones that came to Mr. and Mrs. Nevins to gladden their hearts and create a better purpose for living, that they might be brought up to be useful men and women, are: Lucy A., Edgar and George W. Two children died in infancy; Lucy is the wife of Robert K. Alderson, who resides in North Palmyra Township; Edgar died when life was promising so much to him, at the age of twenty-one; George W. also died soon after he had entered manhood and it was a crushing blow to his father to have this son, from whom he expected and for whom he had planned so much, taken away in the flower of his manhood; he was but twenty-three years old at the time of his death.

Mr. Nevins has been elected to several positions in Palmyra Township and has discharged conscientiously and satisfactorily to his constituents the duties that have been given him. He was Supervisor of the township for two terms. In politics he is an adherent of the Democratic party, believing in the breadth of platform which that party claims. Mr. and Mrs. Nevins are active members of the Christian Church and seize every opportunity where good may be done to suffering humanity, thereby fulfilling the first of all commandments.